Elk Mound school board candidate: Michael Jenson Jr.
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MICHAEL JENSON, JR.
ELK MOUND — Michael Jenson Jr. is one of four candidates for two positions on the Elk Mound Board of Education in the April 6 election.
Jenson will face incumbents Mark Oas and Gary Bodenburg along with challenger Mark Levra.
Jenson, age 36, is married to his wife, Jenny. They have two children, a son, Michael III, age 17, and a daughter, Kylee, age 14.
A graduate of Elk Mound High School, Jenson is a dairy farmer. He also is a graduate of Chippewa Valley Technical College.
Here are Jenson’s answers to a candidate questionnaire sent out by the Colfax Messenger:
Why did you decide to run for a position on the Elk Mound Board of Education?
As time goes on and the same people are making the same decisions, things get a bit stagnant. I am here to offer a fresh perspective.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for school districts over the past year. What challenges related to COVID-19 do you anticipate will be facing the school district in the years to come?
Fear of re-infection and the cancellation/restrictions of pre-COVID normalcy.
What do you believe to be the biggest issues (in addition to COVID) facing the Elk Mound school district?
We have a great staff at-large, but we don’t have the same small school quality as when I graduated from Elk Mound. Great staff members have left and will continue to leave. We can make this a better destination for students and staff.
Why are you the best candidate for the Board of Eduction?
I am a fresh face with new ideas, though I truly value tradition but I believe it’s time for change. I am not afraid to speak my mind. I am not running to make friends, but rather make change.
Anything else you would like voters to know?
Though my son is graduating this spring from Elk Mound and is the fourth generation of my family to do so, my daughter is looking to transfer to another district to finish her last three years of high school. I have tried to make change from the outside. I tried to get on the board last year but fell a couple votes short. Our family has made the decision that change will not come soon enough to benefit her. Although our family will be involved in another school system, if elected, I still will work hard to try to ensure change comes for those who are here to stay and for those who will come.
